Artistic Swimming applications for Aquatic Diploma in Sporting Excellence open

Applications have opened for a unique sporting qualification for emerging artistic swimmers which combines competition and training with their studies.

The aquatics Diploma in Sporting Excellence (DiSE) programme is now accepting applications for the two-year programme which is funded by the Department of Education and delivered by Swim England in collaboration with Loughborough College.

It is designed to run alongside the athletes chosen further education be it A-Levels, BTEC or a non-sports apprenticeship as well as their clubs training programme.

Athletes born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008 can now apply for this year’s scheme which will run from September 2024 to July 2026 to support their development and help them to achieve excellence within the sport. For the full eligibility, performance criteria and application form click the button below.

The programme is delivered through Swim England workshops, camps, club visits and online one-to-one progress reviews, supported by professional coaches, specialist practitioners, talent staff and an experienced Swim England DiSE assessor who will be on hand to support them every step of the way.

Topics covered include career planning and finance, lifestyle, nutrition, health and safety, mental skills, anti-doping, behaviours and values, sports injuries, comms and media plus technical, tactical and physical skills.

“Supportive and understanding”

A number of Great Britain’s top athletes have come through the programme included Paris 2024 bound Izzy Thorpe who is set to become a two-time Olympian in France this summer.

Also previously on the programme was World Series medallist Cerys Hughes who said that she would ‘100% recommend the programme’.

She said: “I felt the programme was very manageable alongside my A Level studies and it prompted me to improve my organisation skills further which was useful when it came to scheduling revision around competitions and travelling abroad.

“The DiSE assessors were so supportive and very understanding of how busy an athlete’s life is so I definitely don’t think I could have completed the programme without them!

“I would 100% recommend that anyone who is given the opportunity to take part in the programme should go for it because DiSE builds a solid skill base that can be taken forwards into the future.”

Darren Sims, DiSE assessor manager, said: “The DiSE programme is very unique in that it provides an opportunity to gain qualifications alongside athlete development and training.

“The programme equips them with knowledge and expertise that will allow swimmers to be more efficient with their training and help them build towards a career in either the elite environment and give them skills which they can take with them into a post athletic career.

“We look forward to receiving applications and to helping more young people on their journey both in and out of the pool.”

Applications to the DiSE programme are also open for diving, swimming and water polo.

To find out more about DiSE and apply, click here or email [email protected].